Springfield Resources
COVID-19: Where to Get Help for Illinois Families
Information for Illinois families on how to find assistance with meals, childcare, unemployment, housing, learning and instruction, healthcare and immigration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please visit the IDHS Information and Resource During the COVID-19 Crisis website for more details.
“How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Kids with Special Healthcare Needs” Podcast
On this podcast from RadioMD, which features experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, a pediatrician who focuses on children with special healthcare needs discusses ideas for how families can cope with the pandemic, especially when the supports provided by schools are unavailable.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides tips to help children with language disorders make social connections while sheltering in place.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association explains how to use everyday activities around the house to help develop young children’s communication skills.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides guidance to parents and caregivers of students who are bilingual and/or English language learners to help continue their development.
American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center
In order to provide support to families and communities who have suffered the loss of loved ones, the American Red Cross has developed a Virtual Family Assistance Center (VFAC) as a hub for resources and contact with its partners.
COVID-19 Memory Book for Children and Families
To help children express themselves and record their experiences during the Stay at Home Order, we’ve created our own COVID-19 Memory Book that families can print out and complete.
The book includes an “About Me” section for children and youth to fill out as well as their favorite ways to stay busy, what they are thankful for, how they’ve stayed connected with others and a list of celebrations that happened during social distancing. There are also coloring activities and a page for children to fill out if they celebrated a birthday during the pandemic.
Updates and information from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Families Services regarding COVID-19.
Stay at Home Order – FAQ for Families
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development has developed a frequently-asked-questions document for families that features updates on the status of child care programs, public and private schools and other essential information to support families –
The Arc of Illinois Financial Assistance for Training
The Arc of Illinois, through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, administers the Financial Assistance for Training Program. The program provides funds for people with developmental disabilities and their family members to attend conferences of their choice that are directly related to developmental disability issues.
Due to the pandemic, there is a need for training, important meetings and conferences to be virtual. This program will now allow stipends to pay for the assistive technology needed to attend virtual events.